19 January 2013 - AFC Emley v Hadleigh United

Competition : FA Vase 4

Result : P:P

Attendance : None

We'd planned on making the AFC Emley v Hadleigh United, FA Vase 4th Round clash our featured match for Saturday, 19 Januray 2013. It was to be our first ever visit to The Welfare Ground. Unfortunately, the snow fell and we were restricted in travelling on the day.  Fortunately, we were in contact with Mark Parsons, AFC Emley supporter and photographer who kindly sent these photographs to us and allowed us to show the sights and atmosphere from a desolated, wintry scene from the West Yorkshire ground.

In the distance, one mile west of Emley, the Emley Moor transmitting station standing at 1084ft tall is the UK's tallest free-standing structure. 

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The Welfare Ground

The match was then rearranged to be played the following Saturday, 26 January, unfortunately this was also postponed due to an unplayable surface.  The match finally took place on Saturday 02 February, with the Suffolk based club holding onto a 1-0 victory.

Special Thanks To Mark Parsons for the use of the photographs.

Our visit to AFC Emley v Hadleigh United, which took place on the 02 February 2013, will be a forthcoming feature.

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Links

AFC Emley (Website In The NCEL Panel At The Side)

All Photographs : ©Mark Parsons

Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow

22 December 2012 - Matlock Town v FC United Of Manchester

Competition : Evo Stik Northern Premier League

Result : P-P

Attendance : None Available

The Matlock Town v FC United Of Manchester clash was called off at 09.30 that morning, due to a waterlogged pitch.  This didn't deter us from making that planned visit to Causeway Lane, with the intention of photographing the outside of the ground at what would have been time to kick off.  Fortunately, we bumped into Matlock Town secretary, Keith Brown who gave us permission to spend time inside the ground, photographing the empty stadium on what should have been a healthy sized crowd, especially with a great number of FCUM supporters making the journey into Derbyshire.  The rearranged fixture date has been set to Wednesday 06 March 2013, with a 19.45 kick off.

"The Gladiators"

Standing Water in two places at 15.00.  Earlier that morning when the pitch was inspected, the pools of water took over most of the playing surface.

The Twigg Stand

Behind The Goal at The Cricket Pitch End.

From the Causeway Lane side of the ground, in front of The Cyril Harrison Stand/Terrace.

The Cyril Harrison Stand/Terrace

Named in honour of the former, 'Gladiators' chairman.

St Giles' Church, situated on Church Street, Matlock. The grey, damp weather and low clouds shroud the landscape beyond Causeway Lane. The pools of standing water on the playing surface evident this it was the correct decision to postpone the match

Even divine intervention couldn't halt the rain falling down on Matlock Town this day. The imposing St Giles' Church looks down on Causeway Lane. The bare trees adding a sense of loneliness to what would have been quite possibly, Matlock Town's highest home attendance in the EvoStik NPL this season.

The following show the landscapes beyond Matlock Town..

The mist and rain add to the desolate atmosphere. We're looking forward to covering a Matlock Town home match during the summer/autumn months next season.

The gate is open, but the attendance board shows nothing.

A part of the terracing situated beyond the Cyril Harrison Stand.

Floodlight Architecture & Design - Close Up

NO STANDING

Matlock Town Football Club

The main entrance on Causeway Lane.

Home Of 'The Gladiators' - Pride Of Derbyshire

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The rearranged date for the fixture is 

Tuesday 05 March with a 19.45 Kick Off.

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All Photography : ©fotografica137

Website Links To Both Clubs In The EvoStik NPL Panel At The Side

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11 December 2012 - Parkgate v Glasshoughton Welfare

Competition : NCEL Premier League

Result : Parkgate - PP - Glasshoughton Welfare

Attendance : -

7.45

Should have been time to kick off, but the referee called off the game only an hour before.

Match Day Programmes

A Collector's Item

Competitive Pricing ...

Tonight, there will be no money through the turnstiles, but people and bills will still need to be paid. Many clubs will struggle throughout the season on just gate money alone, the decision to call off tonight's match will leave Parkgate FC out of pocket. It is essential that clubs at this level of football survive, not only as a mark of respect for all those previously associated with Parkgate, but to carry on playing and being a vital part of the community.  The structure at Parkgate isn't one of just old aged committee members, they have a youthful interest in not only the ninety minutes of football, but also off the field operations too.

  Charlie & Craig (The Rotherham Proclaimers)

Two Rotherham United supporters, who'd already arrived at one ground (Meadow Lane / Notts County) only to discover that match had also been postponed just before kick off! Travelling back up the M1, they had heard via local radio that the match tonight at Parkgate was ON! The Parkgate sponsored shirt Charlie wears, is that of Rotherham United, not Parkgate FC.  We had a good chat about football and why they'd decided to head here instead of going straight back home.  "For the football ... and we'll be back again to Roundwood at some point later this season" ...

A German TV crew interview a groundhopper.  Producing a documentary on European Football Fan Culture, tonight's postponement wasn't a hindrance.  Originally, they were to be at FC United Of Manchester, but their game with Kendall Town was also postponed.

The Gates To The Pitch ...

all locked up at 9.00pm, the lights still on, but there's no one home.

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Match Report - None

All Photography : ©fotografica137

Website Links To Both Clubs In The NCEL Panel At The Side

Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow